Density gradients at evening ionospheric troughs in the East sector

Olga M. Pirog; Nelly M. Polekh; Anatoly V. Tashchilin; Elena B. Romanova

doi:10.1117/12.783541

14 February 2008 Density gradients at evening ionospheric troughs in the East sector

Olga M. Pirog, Nelly M. Polekh, Anatoly V. Tashchilin, Elena B. Romanova

Proceedings Volume 6936, Fourteenth International Symposium on Atmospheric and Ocean Optics/Atmospheric Physics; 69361D (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.783541
Event: Fourteenth International Symposium on Atmospheric and Ocean Optics/Atmospheric Physics, 2007, Buryatia, Russian Federation

Abstract

Abrupt decreases of ionization in the F2-layer maximum in afternoon hours have long been observed and associated with a motion of the main ionospheric trough to the equator during geomagnetic storms. A sudden increase of electron density followed by its fall is at times observed in afternoon and evening hours. This phenomenon, well-known as the "dusk" effect, appears during strong storms which commence in early evening hours LT at stations located at subauroral and middle latitudes. An explanation for abrupt decreases of critical frequencies of F2 layer in afternoon and evening hours can be the effect of plasma fast convection in a westward direction caused by intense electric fields. The results of the simultaneous satellite and ground measurements of the effects of fast subauroral ion drifts show that the development of a narrow band of a westward drift with high velocities causes the intensive depletion of electron density in the F2 layer for 15-20 min. This is consistent with the fast formation or deepening of the trough in the background ionization. The purpose of this paper is to investigate peculiarities of this phenomenon in the East-Asian region. Ionospheric storms with different intensities are examined based on the data of the meridional chain of ionospheric stations located in the region of East Siberia and China. It has been determined that afternoon troughs can be observed either during the growth and main phases of strong and moderate storms if their commencements fall on evening hours or during the recovery phase if they begin some other time. They are mainly observed in the period between equinox and summer. Model calculations of electron density variations during the storm on April 3-6, 2004 are carried out. It is shown that the location of minimum and polar wall of afternoon trough coincides with the band of the westward drift in the time sector 13÷17 MLT at geomagnetic latitudes 55° ÷ 65°.

Citation Download Citation

Olga M. Pirog, Nelly M. Polekh, Anatoly V. Tashchilin, and Elena B. Romanova "Density gradients at evening ionospheric troughs in the East sector", Proc. SPIE 6936, Fourteenth International Symposium on Atmospheric and Ocean Optics/Atmospheric Physics, 69361D (14 February 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.783541

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